Date Range: August 31, 2009 - August 1, 2009

August 30, 2009, 10:15AM

It drives me absolutely wild whenever otherwise smart adults ask my daughter, "So, do you have a boyfriend?" "No," she says, usually with a shrug. "My mom won't let me." I'm happy to be blamed for the fact that she's not allowed to date until she's in high school. And when the time comes, even that boundary will be... Full story »

August 30, 2009, 7:42AM

Michael Jackson was my youngest son's first classmate. Now before you busy yourself with the math, the dollars, the miles, the odds -- let me acknowledge the obvious truth. It never happened, at least not in the world you and I occupy. Jackson never passed through the door of my son's kindergarten room. Too much age separated them not... Full story »

August 30, 2009, 6:25AM

Tired of the foot dragging over a statewide smoking ban? One Michigan lawmaker is, too, and he would let you and your local elected officials decide whether to take a step the Legislature has been too afraid to take itself. This is the right idea. If the Legislature will not put a smoking ban in place, at least let... Full story »

August 30, 2009, 3:07AM

"Are you squinching your toes?" The mother was suspicious. Her son, who looked to be 7-ish, really wanted these shoes and said, why, no. They felt just fine, and he was indeed not squinching. Back to school and the stores are in supply/trends-for-fall mode. Parents are assessing what still fits, how much have they grown, what do they need,... Full story »

August 30, 2009, 12:00AM

In the economic development game that pits state against state in the competition for jobs, it's nonsensical for any state, particularly one with a 15-percent unemployment rate, to unilaterally disarm. So Michigan will not do that per last week's agreement to authorize still more incentive packages through the rest of the year that offer essentially tax-free status for selected new... Full story »

August 29, 2009, 9:09PM

U.S. House Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio, a vocal opponent of the Obama administration's auto-industry rescue and health care reform initiatives, will lunch Monday with Rich and Helen DeVos, the Michigan GOP congressional delegation and others willing to pony up $1,000 a plate. Full story »

August 29, 2009, 6:00AM

Man at worship on beach, perfect late-summer day. If it were a painting, that could have been its title. The man stood on the shore of Grand Haven State Park, gazing out at the water on a late afternoon. The sun glinted off his shades under a Ron Jon Surf Shop cap, his shirt open to a strong breeze. Full story »

August 28, 2009, 6:45AM

Anyone who does not appreciate the importance of Michigan's Supreme Court  or who wonders if government can control health costs  might pay attention to the court's actions last month. Michigan drivers will pay an extra $15 each, thanks to a ruling that guarantees hugely expensive, round-the-clock care to two accident victims with brain damage. Four Supreme Court justices... Full story »

August 28, 2009, 6:42AM

Sen. Edward Kennedy made an impact on this country that transcended his lengthy public service  nearly 47 years in the Senate  and his gargantuan family name. The senator from Massachusetts lent his support to almost every piece of social legislation that became law since the 1960s. Despite scandal and personal tragedy, he stood tall as the country's... Full story »

August 27, 2009, 6:05AM

In cash-starved Rhode Island, state government soon will shut down for 12 days. California has issued IOUs for some debts. Here in Michigan, a potential government shutdown looms five weeks away. In that context, asking elected officials to share in the financial sacrifice seems more than fair. The Associated Press reported this month that 12 states give lawmakers free health... Full story »

August 26, 2009, 9:31AM

He hit the really high notes, he held out the really long notes, and he confidently rode the challenging vocal rollercoaster ride of "Lights," "Open Arms" and "Wheel in the Sky." But mostly, lead singer Arnel Pineda made a convincing case for why he's a bona fide, full-fledged member of classic rock's Journey ... maybe even the star of... Full story »